Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Part 29

Author: Hazen, Aaron L. (Aaron Lyle), 1837- comp. and ed. cn
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold publishing co.
Number of Pages: 1058

USA > Pennsylvania > Lawrence County > New Castle > Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th > Part 29

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The Beaver and New Castle wagon road was laid out by the State, being surveyed about 1801. It was sixty-six feet wide, and was called the State road. In 1839 it was re-surveyed and the route graded through.

MILITARY.

Among the early settlers of Big Beaver who served in the War of 1812 were the following :

Andrew Davidson, who came in 1796; was out a short time at Erie.

David Ramsey went to Erie from Youngstown, Ohio, where he was living at the time. He afterwards removed to Little Beaver Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania.

John Whan was married in the fall or winter of 1813, and was out two months at Erie immediately afterwards. He served in Capt. Wilson Kildoo's company.

James Paden went to Erie, and prob- ably his brother Hugh, also. The Padens lived in the western part of the township.

Militia organizations were kept up after the war was over, and held regular drills and musters under the militia law of the State. The annual review days were looked upon as grand holidays; whisky flowed in unlimited quantities, and the song and merry shout resounded on every such occasion.

During the War of the Rebellion, Big Beaver was represented by many a gal- lant son who fought in the ranks of the Union army. More on this subject may be found in the chapter devoted to the military history of the county.

SCHOOLS.

The first school in what is now Big Bea-

ver Township was kept in a vacated log cabin, which stood on the Baker farm, just in the edge of the present county line. Richard Johnston was the teacher. The first building erected specially for school purposes stood about twenty rods north of where the Methodist Church at Clinton now stands. It was built of very large, round logs, about the year 1820. A "one- eyed, cross old man," named Robert Creighton, first taught in it. Before this schoolhouse was built, Creighton taught in James Davidson's old log weaving shop, the loom having been removed to make room. Just below the old log schoolhouse was a spring, where the pupils went to drink.

MANUFACTURERS.

In 1876 an establishment was built on the hill just south of the limits of Wam- pum borough, for the manufacture of ce- ment, the company being known as the Wampum Cement and Lime Company. The article manufactured is said to be superior to any other cement known. It took the first prize at the Centennial Ex- position at Philadelphia. The man em- ployed to make it was a German, named William Pucall. The company was organ- ized about 1869-70, as the "Wampum Min- ing and Manufacturing Company." The principal ingredients used in the manu- facture of this cement are limestone and blue clay. The limestone is quarried in the hill above the works, and the clay is taken out in the valley below. In the proc- ess of making, the limestone is first ground to flour and bolted, after which it is mixed in certain proportions with the clay and put into a "dry-kiln" and dried. It is then baked in another kiln and finally crushed, ground and bolted, when it becomes ready for use.

WAMPUM BOROUGH.

This borough was first settled by two brothers, Robert and John Davidson, who came from Ireland, in 1791, landing at

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Philadelphia. Robert first went to Cin- Superior ores mostly. A small proportion cinnati, where he purchased property; he of the red limestone ore found in She- nango and Wayne Townships was used in connection with the red ores. The com- pany owned, in connection with their fur- nace, extensive coal and limestone depos- its. The amount of coal taken out of their mines being annually from 40,000 to 50,000 tons. The capital invested in the furnace property, in coal mines, stone quarries, cars, coal-chutes, etc., was fully $250,000. This business was discontinued and the works dismantled many years ago. subsequently returned to Pittsburg, and thence he and his brother John proceeded to the tract covering the site of Wampum Borough, in March, 1796. Their mother, with the rest of the family, left Ireland in 1793, and remained in the eastern part of Pennsylvania until her sons had made a settlement at Wampum, when they joined them. Thomas Davidson, a half brother, joined the settlement a year or two later. They settled on a two hundred-acre tract, of which they received half for settling, and afterwards purchased the balance for $100. The family consisted of seven sons, all of whom settled in the vicinity, along the Beaver River. Robert Davidson erect- ed a grist-mill on the site of the mill after- wards owned by Edward Key, about the year 1830. It was run by water from springs, and contained two run of stone. Mr. Davidson died in 1846. His heirs ran the mill about four years, or until 1850, when it came into possession of Captain Archibald Reed. It afterwards passed through several other hands and was at different times enlarged and improved.

The people of the borough of Wampum are extensively engaged in mining and manufacturing.

BLAST FURNACE.

The first furnace was built in 1856 by Porter R. Friend & Co., of Pittsburg, who operated it for a number of years, but the business was so unprofitable that the prop- erty was finally sold at assignee's sale, August 1, 1866. Samuel Kimberly pur- chased the establishment on behalf of the "Eagle Iron Company," of Cleveland, Ohio, though the latter company never really owned it. The name was changed to "Wampum Furnace Company." Its capacity was about twenty tons of metal, daily, or about seven thousand tons per annum.

The works were employed in the manu- facture of pig-iron exclusively, using Lake

The coal business at Wampum is quite extensive. The firm of Davidson, Green & Co. formerly handled annually from thirty to forty thousand tons. Captain O. H. P. Green, of this firm, claimed to have been the first man to export the Beaver Valley gas coal to Erie, which was in 1852. The captain invested several thousand dollars in the business, in which he continued some two years by himself, when he took in, as partners, Abner C. Fenton and Henry Manning, of Youngstown, Ohio. In 1854, he sold his interest in the business to Jona- than Warner, of Youngstown, Ohio. Cap- tain Green had commenced industrial life as a common laborer when fifteen years of age, near Greenville, Mercer County. When the canal was completed, he had gone into the boating business, in which he continued until he engaged in coal-mining and shipping. After he sold out his inter- est in the coal business, he returned to his old occupation on the canal. In partner- ship with Captain M. S. Marquis, he owned and operated as many as twelve boats at one time. In 1857 he removed to the vicinity of Edenburg, where he pur- chased at various times several farms, on one of which is situated the famous pre- historic mound, near the site of the old Indian town of Kush-kush-kee. (See his- tory of Mahoning Township.) He contin- ued to do business on the canal until about 1869. In 1867 Capt. Green removed to New Castle.

In addition to the coal business at this

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point, there has been a considerable trade carried on in quarrying and burning lime- stone. Large quantities of cement are also manufactured from the lower stratum of limestone, familiarly known as the "blue- stone." The coal of this valley is bitumi- nous, and has excellent coke and gas-pro- ducing qaulities.

Wampum was erected into a borough by the Court of Quarter Sessions, February 19,1876. Edward Kay was the first burgess. The first post-office was established at Wampum about 1832, by the name of "Irish Ripple," so called from the rapids in the Beaver River. It was moved back and forth between Wampum and Newport until about the year 1868, when the people of the former place had the name changed to "Wampum," since which it has re- mained there. The name "Wampum" is said to have been derived from a tribe of Indians who formerly dwelt there, and who wore the wampum belt. The town is picturesquely situated on the Beaver River, nine miles below New Castle.

The American Cement Tile Manufactur- ing Company is a prosperous concern en- gaged in the manufacture of a fine grade of tile without wire reinforcement. They are practically without competition in their line of business. The president of the company is Isadore Meyers; vice-presi- dent, Joseph Freund; superintendent, James H. Stewart. The plant covers about. twelve acres of ground, the main building being 565x65 feet, and there are about sixty people employed.

A successful milling business was estab- lished in Wampum in 1883, by John J. Mil- ler and Jacob Pitts. They purchased a mill near the railroad and started the milling enterprise which has since developed into the Wampum Milling Company. The part- nership lasted until 1900, when Mr. Miller died. The property and business are now owned and conducted successfully by Mrs. Sarah J. Miller and her sons-Charles W. and William J.

Wampum has two comfortable hostelries

which offer shelter to the passing trav- eler :

The Arlington Hotel was purchased by its present proprietor, Kasper N. Trunk, of its former proprietor, James Stewart, in May, 1902, and is being conducted by him with success.

The Wampum Hotel is conducted by John H. Conn, who purchased it of Charles Stapf in March, 1907. Mr. Stapf had been its proprietor for about eighteen years, its former owner having been Jacob Hyle.

The Wampum Hardware Company is a thriving concern of its kind, carrying a large stock of general hardware and explo- sives for mining purposes. Besides its main store building it has a storage room across the street and another in the vicin- ity of the railroad tracks. The business was purchased in February, 1905, by F. M. Davis & Brother, Dr. Charles Davis, who are carrying it on very successfully.

The firm of Miles & Aley are also en- gaged in the hardware business here.

A general store is carried on by Frank P. Major, while David M. Marshall is en- gaged in business as funeral director and furniture dealer.

William W. Yoho carries on a black- smith shop.

The financial needs of the borough and the vicinity are accommodated by the First National Bank.

The first meeting to organize this bank was held December 29, 1902, and the bank was organized March 10, 1903, with the following officers: W. H. Marshall, presi- dent; W. H. Braby, vice president; W. H. Grove, cashier; directors-W. H. Mar- shall, W. H. Braby, S. P. Major, Joseph Stiglitz, F. M. Davis, Geo. H. Mehard, W. H. Grove, J. H. Stewart, W. H. Phillips, F. M. Withrow, M. S. Marquis, T. D. Wil- son, and Joseph Freund. The capital stock was placed at $25,000. W. H. Grove acted as cashier until November 1, 1906, when C. C. Johnston succeeded him and still holds office. The president and vice-presi- dent are still the same. The bank is located

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on Main street, the intention, however, be- ing to build a modern bank structure on property owned by the bank just across the street. In January, 1907, H. E. Mar- shall, son of the president, was elected as- sistant cashier, which position he still holds.

A fine school building was erected in 1877. The borough has several religious societies.

There are two convenient hotels, and the usual stores of various kinds, blacksmith shops, wagon shop, etc.

Of secret orders, there are a lodge of Odd Fellows, one lodge of the Ancient Or- der of United Workmen, one lodge Order of United American Mechanics, and one grange Patrons of Husbandry.

The Beaver River at this point is spanned by a fine iron bridge built by T. B. White & Sons, of Beaver Falls. It is about four hundred feet in length, and cost some $30,000.

The Pittsburg and Erie and Pittsburg and Lake Erie railways pass through the place. A narrow-gauge railway connects Wampum with the iron ore beds, in Wayne and Shenango Townships, extending a dis- tance of about four miles. This was built to facilitate the shipment of ore to various points in Pennsylvania and Ohio.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Wampum was organized May 15, 1871, with six members, who formed a class. William Thompson organized a Sabbath- school in 1869, with about ten scholars, which number was soon increased to twen- ty-two. The Rev. J. E. Johnston was the first pastor and preached for about six months. He was succeeded in 1872 by the Rev. N. Morris, and he by the Rev. J. E. Johnston, who continued for two years. Subsequent pastors were Rev. C. F. Ed- monds, Rev. George H. Brown, and Rev. John Perry.

A church was erected in 1871 at a cost of about $4,000, of which Mr. Edward Key

contributed about $3,000. Of the present membership a portion resides in Chewton, on the opposite side of the river. The so- ciety supports a Sabbath-school with some ten or more officers and teachers, and six- ty-five or seventy scholars. The school has a well selected library.

UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The United Presbyterians of Wampum asked the Beaver Valley Presbyterians to grant an organization at Wampum.

Accordingly, permission having been ob- tained, about the latter part of August, 1875, a lot was selected on Beaver Street, and on the second Sabbath of November following, there was preaching in the new house. The building is of brick, 40 by 60 feet in size and of a capacity to comfort- ably seat 300 people. The total cost was $3,140.

On the 7th of October, 1875, the session appointed by the Beaver Valley Presby- tery to organize a congregation at Wam- pum, met at the house of W. H. Wither- spoon.

The members present were: Rev. J. I. Frazier (Moderator), Robert Mehard, A. M. Barbout and A. D. Gilliland. A sermon was delivered by Rev. J. I. Frazier, from Matthew 16-18, after which the following persons presented certificates of member- ship: Mrs. Margaret Davidson, William McMillen, Mrs. Eleanor McMillen, W. H. Witherspoon, Mrs. Christine Witherspoon, W. W. Davidson, Mrs. Nancy Davidson, Mr. Asa Eckles, Mrs. Elizabeth Eckles, Alice Minor, Mrs. Mary Whan, Miss Bell Whan, Mrs. Matilda Davidson, William Witherspoon, Mrs. Emily Witherspoon. An election for elders, by ballot, was then held, resulting in the choice of Asa Eckles and William Witherspoon.

On the 1st of July, 1876, an invitation was extended to Rev. J. J. Imbrie, to be- come pastor of this congregation, which was accepted, and Mr. Imbrie took charge and subsequently labored with a good de- gree of success. The congregation at this

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writing (January, 1908) numbers one hun- dred persons.

WAMPUM PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The Newport church was moved to Wampum in 1889, and from that time it was called the Wampum Presbyterian Church. Rev. George S. Rice was the pas- tor of the church here for a few months after it was dedicated, resigning some time late in 1889. He was pastor for several years at Newport. Rev. J. C. Pickens was installed pastor on December 23, 1890, and remained until February, 1902, when he re- signed. Rev. B. J. Long was installed and ordained pastor in May, 1902, and re- mained until December, 1906. He was suc- ceeded by the present pastor, Edgar R. Tait, who was installed December 17, 1907. The elders of the church are Thomas Wil- son, Abner Gibson, D. M. Marshall, C. M. Kirkbrige, John Marshall, Edward Coch ran and Dr. H. H. Davis.

C. M. Kirkbrige is the superintendent of Sabbath-school and has been for seven years. The church has a membership of 160; the Sabbath-school of 175. The church was united under one pastorate with Moravia Presbyterian Church until December, 1907, when, having become self- supporting, they called the present pastor.

VILLAGE OF NEWPORT.

The tract of land upon which the village of Newport now 'stands was settled about the year 1800 by Conrad Coon, who came, with his wife and three children, from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and lo- cated on the place.

John Coon laid out forty acres of land in 1833. A number of small log houses were built soon afterwards, James Morri- son probably erecting the first one.

James Morrison and John Naugle built the first frame houses, in the upper part of town, near the bank of the river.

The first general store was opened in a frame building by Cyrus Szvers, very

soon after the town was laid out. Samuel Smith opened the second store. A store owned by Joseph Aley was burned down in 1876.

Aaron Reed opened the first blacksmith shop. He finally removed to Wampum and started a shop there. Joshua Pierce built the first wagon shop. Mr. Pierce died, and Edward Yoho afterward opened one. His was the second one in the place, William McClosky opened a tailor shop, which he carried on for a number of years.

The Newport Presbyterian Church was organized in 1846 or 1847 by Rev. Samuel Henderson, who became its first pastor. The church was mainly organized through the efforts of Benoni Wilkinson, who lived on a farm just west of town. Starting with thirty members, the congregation in a comparatively short time increased to about eighty. The first meetings were held in a large house which was built by John Jackson, and afterward left vacant by him. A portion of the time meetings were held in the school-house. The pres- ent commodious frame church was built about 1848, on land donated for that pur- pose by Robert Davidson. A Sabbath- school has been held in connection with the Newport Church from the time it was or- ganized, and generally has a large attend- ance. Its first superintendent was David S. Pollock.

The postoffice was originally established at Wampum, and took its name "Irish Ripple," from the rapids in the Beaver River at that place, and the nationality of the settlers who located there. The office was established through the efforts of Ben- jamin Chew, Jr., of Philadelphia, who was out attending to his business in the neigh- borhood, and at that time there was no postoffice nearer than New Castle, nine miles away. The first postmaster was Rob- ert Davidson, about 1832-34. The office was afterward removed to Newport, where it was kept until 1856, when it was again taken to Wampum. From that time it went

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back and forth between the two places un- til the name was changed to Wampum, and the office located permanently at that place. After this Newport petitioned for an office, and finally secured one, giving it the old name of "Irish Ripple."

COAL, LIMESTONE, ETC.

Limestone is abundant in the township, and besides that manufactured into ce- ment, large quantities are quarried for use at the iron furnaces in different places.

Sandstone is also quarried in various places. It was formerly worked quite ex- tensively at and below Thompson's Sid- ing, just above Rock Point Station.

Coal was discovered in the township by John Stockman, a blacksmith, as early as 1810. Stockman settled in what is now Beaver County in 1804. In partnership with an Irishman named MeMullen, he had a blacksmith shop a mile and a half south of the present line between Lawrence and Beaver Counties. Previous to his dis- covery of coal, they had used charcoal for fuel. After discovering the coal, Mr. Stockman dug along the hill and took of the outcrop only, carrying it down on a horse in a sack. This discovery was made in "Possum Hollow," on the James Dav- idson farm, just within the present limits of Lawrence County. Coal has since been worked extensively in the township, the principal mines being in the vicinity of Clinton.

CLINTON.

This village was laid out by James Dav- idson about 1829-30, his house being the first one in the place.

A crockery manufactory was established by Sanger & Nesbit, and afterward became the property of Andrew Davidson. It was only carried on for two years. There was also a store and a blacksmith shop.

A Methodist Episcopal Church was or- ganized about 1823-24, by Rev. John Som- erville, an itinerant preacher, who became

its first pastor, locating afterward in the neighborhood. Some of the original mem- bers of this church were Mrs. James Dav- idson, Andrew Davidson and wife, John Davidson and wife, and Charles Wilson and wife. At the time the church was organized, it was a missionary station called the "Beaver Creek Mission," and afterward changed to the Petersburg, Ohio, circuit, and subsequently to the Enon Valley circuit. Mr. Somerville preached until the age of disability obliged him to stop, and afterward frequently substituted for the regular pastors. Meetings were at first held in Mr. Somerville's, and possibly, in Robert Davidson's house, also often in barns and groves during warm weather. The frame church now standing was built about 1834, on land taken from the James Davidson farm. The graveyard was laid out about the same time and at the same place. When the Enon Valley circuit was established two ministers were placed in charge. Afterward some of the appoint- ments were discontinued and but one min- ister appointed. A Sabbath-school was or- ganized about the time the church was built, by Rev. J. K. Miller, with John Som- erville as first superintendent.

The Clinton Coal Company was organ- ized and a track commenced in 1865, and in 1866 mining was begun on an extensive scale. In one year this company took out 37,000 tons of coal, which was principally purchased by the Pennsylvania Railway Company.

Scott, Tait & Co. commenced mining on a large scale in "Possum Hollow" in 1853, having previously begun work in 1851, in "Beaver Hollow." They built a tram road from their mine to the river, where the coal was loaded into canal boats and ship- ped. William Fruit, the Reeds of Erie, and others afterward bought the "Possum Hollow" mine and worked it for some time, finally disposing of it to John Wil- son. Wilson in turn sold to Wilson, Lee & Co. It afterwards came into the pos- session of Lee & Co., or Lee & Patterson.

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LITTLE BEAVER TOWNSHIP.

This township, one of the thirteen orig- inal townships of Lawrence County, has an area of about 11,400 acres, and is one of the most prosperous in the county. The soil is well adapted to agriculture, being fertile and productive, while the mineral resources of the township are extensive and valuable. There are numerous streams affording abundant water-power, the prin- cipal of which are the Little Beaver Creek, with the branch joining it just above old Enon Village, and Beaver Dam Run, which flows through the northeastern portion of the township, and joins the Little Beaver near the line of Big Beaver Township. The power on the Little Beaver is quite extensive, and mills were built upon it very soon after the first settlements.

Little Beaver Township was originally timbered with a magnificent growth of oak, hickory, maple, poplar, and various kinds of valuable forest trees. Much of it has been destroyed, and seemingly in a wan- ton and careless manner, as if the sup- ply were supposed to be inexhaustible. The need of it is now felt in many portions, although the township still contains a fair acreage of timber, at present most valu- able to its inhabitants.

The stream called Beaver Dam Run was so named because the beavers had built dams across it. These animals were plenti- ful when the first settlements were made, and the Indians and whites trapped large numbers of them, but they soon disap- peared before the advance of the settlers.

Little Beaver contains the two villages of Enon Valley (old and new) and the old town of Newburg. During the days of stage-coach travel, Old Enon and New- burg were thriving villages, but owing to the changes wrought by steam have not fulfilled their early promise.

The Pittsburg, Fort Wayne and Chicago Railway, formerly the Ohio and Pennsyl- vania Railway, was completed to Enon Valley about 1850-51, and is now the great transportation line of the country.

EARLY SETTLEMENTS.

The Pennsylvania Population Company early got possession of the land in this township, and each settler was entitled to one-half the tract upon which he settled, free of cost.

The first actual settlement by whites in the township was made early in 1796, by a company of men who had been out the year previous and made improvements. Some of them now have descendants liv- ing on the old homesteads. They chose the finest sites in the township, generally in the valley of the Little Beaver Creek. They called themselves the "Settlers of '96." Among the men forming this com- pany were John and Samuel Sprott, John Beer, James McCowin and William Rob- ison, and possibly Phillip Aughenbaugh, Andrew Moore and others, in all about twelve or fifteen men.

The Sprotts were from Allegheny Coun- ty, Pennsylvania .. Samuel Sprott settled on a farm in the northwest part of the township, where some of his descendants are yet living. John Sprott settled on the farm where Robert and Thomas Sprott now, or recently, lived, on the 17th day of February, 1796. Mr. Sprott brought his wife with him, and their son Robert was born on the place on the 18th of July, 1796, he being the first white child born in the township. He lived on the old farm all his life, and was never farther away from home than Pittsburg. John Sprott was a military officer of western Pennsylvania during the Indian troubles after the Rev- olution. His principal duty was to supply the different military stations on the Ohio, from Logstown down, with men. At the first militia muster at which he ever served, he was elected major, and after- wards lieutenant-colonel, and served until he was beyond the regulation military age. He died in the fall of 1839, aged seventy- nine years and ten months.

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Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Part 29

Author: Hazen, Aaron L. (Aaron Lyle), 1837- comp. and ed. cn Publication date: 1908 Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold publishing co. Number of Pages: 1058

Author: Hazen, Aaron L. (Aaron Lyle), 1837- comp. and ed. cn
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold publishing co.
Number of Pages: 1058